Annual Diversity Awards Gala

We strive to work hand-in-hand with employers who recognize that newcomers bring broader perspectives and expertise to the workforce. Many Saskatchewan companies get a competitive edge by hiring staff from diverse cultural backgrounds, which reflects the increasingly diverse mosaic of their current and prospective clientele.

The Saskatoon Open Door Society holds an annual awards ceremony to recognize the achievements of companies and individuals that have shown exceptional leadership in workplace diversity and have demonstrated an inclusive attitude towards immigrants.

Step 1. We will accept both self-nominations and nominations from third parties.

Step 2. The Nominees themselves are required to complete and submit an application in order to be considered for an award.

Partner of the Year
To be eligible, an employer must have partnered with the Saskatoon Open Door Society ion promoting and implementing COVID-19 response initiatives. For example, they have partnered with SODS on information sessions, mock interviews, job shadowing, volunteer opportunities, work placements, experiential field trips, or participated in the WEconnect Job Fair.

Pandemic Recovery
In recognition of a business or organization that has found ways to retain recent immigrant* employees in a changing workplace throughout the pandemic and beyond. Examples can include reskilling and upskilling staff to keep them employed, adjusting company procedures, incorporating flexible work arrangements, forming a Covid-19 advisory committee, delivering workshops to better equip staff for online service delivery etc. 

Newcomer Youth Recruitment
In recognition of a business or an organization that has focused on the employment of immigrant youth (aged 14-29 years), as one of the demographic groups most impacted by the pandemic.

Newcomer Entrepreneur 
In recognition of a newcomer entrepreneur who started operating before or during the pandemic and was able to adapt to the changes and continue business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employer of Choice Award 
In recognition of a business or organization that has made a difference during the pandemic, and worked hard to make a positive impact on employees, newcomers and community at large.

Workplace Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership Award 
In recognition of a business or an organization that has demonstrated leadership in creating and promoting diversity and inclusion to improve the workplace culture and environment for its employees, and to better their services to their customers. 

Diversity is the range of visible and non-visible qualities, experiences, and identities that shape who we are, how we think, and how we engage with and are perceived by the world. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical or mental disabilities, religious/spiritual beliefs, or political ideologies. They can also include differences such as personality, style, capabilities, thoughts and perspectives.

Inclusion is recognizing, welcoming and making space for diversity. An inclusive organization capitalizes on the diversity of ideas, experiences, skills and talents of all employees.

* The term immigrant refers to recent and established newcomers whose education and work experience was mainly obtained outside of Canada.

Starting in 2019, ADAG Nominees themselves are required to complete and submit the applications themselves.

If you have been nominated for an award, or if you are self-nominating, please select a category to be directed to the form.

All nominees must complete and submit the appropriate form(s) to be considered for an award.

We are not currently accepting nomination forms. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for 2021.

• University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry | Partner of the Year
• Walmart Canada | Pandemic Response - Enterprise
• Emily Martell | Pandemic Response - Individual
• Loraas Disposal North Ltd. | Essential Worker Champion - Large Enterprise
• Warm 'n' Cozy Personal Care Homes | Essential Worker Champion - Small Enterprise
• Newcomer Entrepreneur | LAVVA Kitchen + Bar
• Community Hero Recognition | Asit Sarkar, Delano Kennedy, Phuong Uyen Huynh, Sarah Cochran Smokeyday, Zainab Al-Musawi

• Sinewy Construction | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment - Small Enterprise
• Vendasta Technologies | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment - Large Enterprise
• riide | Excellence in Immigrant Integration
• Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon | Employer Partner of the Year 
• Little Einstein's Early Learning Centre Inc. | Newcomer Entrepreneur 
• Ms. Hongsen Zhao | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration 

• Warm 'n' Cozy Personal Care Homes | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment - Small Enterprise
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - Saskatoon | Leadership in Immigrant Recruitment - Large Enterprise
• Jerry’s Food Emporium | Excellence in Immigrant Integration - Small Enterprise
• Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) | Excellence in Immigrant Integration - Large Enterprise 
• Royal Bank of Canada | Long-Term Employer Partner
• Vendasta Technologies Inc. | Employer Partner of the Year 
• Tech Edge Ltd. | Newcomer Entrepreneur 
• Ms. Shana Stevens | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration 

• Jerry's Food Emporium | Leadership in Immigrant Employment – Small Enterprise
• Saskatoon Inn and Conference Centre | Leadership in Immigrant Employment – Large Enterprise
• 7shifts Employee Scheduling Software Inc. | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Small Enterprise
• The Home Depot | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Large Enterprise
• Maple Leaf Foods Inc. | Excellence in Immigrant Integration – Large Enterprise
• Vendasta Technologies Inc. | Employer Partner of the Year 
• The Saskatoon Co-operative Association Ltd. | Long-term Employer Partner 
• Mr. Jim Bence | Individual Achievement in Immigrant Employment and Integration